Ha. During most of these years, I was in a "C level" job for a couple of Fortune 100 companies, flying on a company plane around the country, and was "pretty busy." My wife drove the LC's, and among other things loved that they were so reliable. She loves the platform. I've been a gearhead since I was a kid, and I like messing with cars. I have plenty of time these days. However, I understand where
@tball is coming from. We were skiing 60-70 days a winter, on the road to see kids away at school or at college many other weekends, etc. Busy with other things in the summer. A lot of my LC projects took place in the summer, but there were not very many onerous ones. The LC is not needy. And I wasn't rolling up the sleeves on a frequent basis to do a ton of work, on the spot. Couple of long days a year, for the most part, all planned out.
You'd be amazed at how long rotors, pads, calipers, brake lines all last on these cars, just as one example. So, I actually like doing that work, and knowing that it's done right. It's not frequent when pads last about 80K miles.
The 4.7L in the UZ100 LC is bulletproof. It's not the exact same engine as is in the Sequioa and Tundra. Those are both great powerplants, but are not the same {among other things to save on weight and cost.} The LC engine was made in the Araco plant in Japan, until about 2005 and the main difference is in the engine internals. All forged in the LC. Most anybody selling cars at a dealership would say "Yeah, same engine"......without having a clue. My son and I were talking about this the other day. Some of the other 4.7's have aluminum heads. It's degrees of crazy durability, though. Seriously. I think the "other" 4.7's will run pretty much forever.
I can't comment on the 5.7L, as I don't know anybody who has driven one for lots of miles {100K plus}. I know a number on 24 month, 30K mile leases. Run through businesses, and used for 100% non business use! Roll them over every two years. Though I seem to see more of that group in Range Rovers at home these days. Nicer leather, I think. And no need to think about durability. I just think there is a LOT to fail and go wrong on the latest generation LC's. And the prices are very, very steep.
I would NEVER make this sort of decision based on timing chain versus timing belt. Agree with
@nay's comments. Spot on. Ask me about our Audi S4 Avant experience. B5 versus B7. Timing chains tend to have other wear items, like chain guides. When they fail {or need to be replaced}, it costs about as much as a half dozen timing belt jobs {or more} at full retail. Engine pulled out of the car, new chain, new guides and hopefully no other internal damage. Those were the fourth and fifth S-car avants that we owned. I've replaced the timing belts and pulleys, etc. at about 100K on the LC's{easier to remember that interval} and as
@nay says, they have looked almost new, every single time. I think I'll go to 120K!
Last comment. I have never had any of our LC's serviced at a dealer, once their CPO warranties expired {for the two that we bought CPO}. I find that a solid indie tech, familiar with the platform, is a better solution and a heck of a lot more cost effective. I also like to select and use my own fluids, filters, belts, etc., if I can't get it done at home. Buy it online and have it shipped to him, sometimes. And I like the tech to know me, and know the vehicle. My guy knows me, well. Does not happen at a dealership. My neighbor is one of the biggest Toyota dealers in the country.....and he agrees, in confidence. He wishes it was not the case, but it is. The "book rates" are another issue.......
He actually thinks it's pretty neat that we have this fleet of older Toyota products.
I guess my point is that these are not vehicles just for those who do their own work. Far from it. But going into your friendly dealer and opening your checkbook can get very expensive, IME. I had a headlight blow under CPO. The whole thing was covered. I noticed that the total bill was about $900, including over two hours of labor by the book. I replaced a headlight that was broken by a rock about two years later. Took me about 15 minutes, and the OEM light was sourced at a nice discount in a similar time. I didn't need to take the time to drive to the dealer and back, etc.,blah-blah. Total cost to me was under $300. An OEM brand new light. Easy-peasy.
I say that still sticking to my guns that very little fails on these. Now on a S4, I would replace control arms, bushings, brake components, coils, steering racks, shocks.......and on and on, on a frequent basis. I'm not a chronic record keeper, but those were needy. And our experiences with a two Suburbans in the mid 1990's was that they were back then not a car to won out of warranty. I know they are better now.
My only issue, living right on the Atlantic Ocean is keeping them rust free. Involves a couple of treatments a year, and a very infrequent POR-15 touch up. I sadly learned my lesson on the first one. Big rust issues on one that ran like a top. I sold it, with 225K miles {I think} to a body shop owner, for parts. For $7K. I could have sold it 50 times over.......
Cost of operation? These things are amazing. People get hung up on mpg. Even the gas cost on these is a fraction of my daughter's soon to be gone Outback XT. The LC gets better mileage around town, and you have to drive the XT at about 70 mph on the highway to do better. The XT won't run without good premium gas. The LC will run on anything. And mileage improves, I swear with a mid-grade.
Can't recommend them enough. Thought the 2002 Tacoma in the family is making a strong pitch at being "all world." My son bought it in 2008, with 85K miles on it. Came with a Leer cap on it. He's done a lot to make it his, and set it up the right way. It now has 285K on it, and it runs perfectly. He has no plans to make a change. It may become an extra vehicle at some point. V6, five speed, and a few unique things.....like leather Recarro seats, updated head unit for music and Nav, etc. Great vehicle.
I'm really on the fence about the newer generation vehicles, such as the Tacomas and 4Runners, in terms of how they will hold up, and retain their value. The going in price is steep. I'd have a very hard time justifying a new Toyota truck, and passing by a couple of American trucks.....I think.
But the used market has plenty of options if you can search and take your time. Keep in mind, mileage on the odometer means very, very little with these particular vehicles.
Fun discussion.